Dana Thorp-Patterson is the Executive Director of the Osher Lifelong Learning Institute at Boise State University. She has served in senior administrative roles in higher education for nearly 30 years in Missouri, Alaska, Oregon, and Idaho. Dana is from Whale Pass, Alaska, a rural village where she completed high school by correspondence. A first-generation college student, she traveled outside to a work-study liberal arts college where she graduated at age 19, Summa Cum Laude, with a bachelor of arts degree in criminal justice and sociology. She also earned a private pilot’s license while in college. Dana served as a law enforcement officer for several years, last posted as a criminal investigator. She earned a master’s degree in clinical counseling and later was recruited from law enforcement to serve as a senior hospital administrator operating and overseeing several inpatient and outpatient units on various campuses. During this time, Dana also worked in off hours in a private counseling clinic to earn licensure while also teaching evening classes of criminal justice, psychology and sociology at area colleges as adjunct faculty. Dana’s commitment to teach and train ultimately resulted in an offer to become a Dean of Continuing Education, hired to create and develop sustainable programs in workforce and professional development, community enrichment and classes for all ages. During her tenure, she participated in a pilot program for senior colleg eadministrators to earn an educational doctorate in higher education administration. Working at several colleges and universities around the country, she has served as Acting Vice President and Acting Vice Chancellor several times and created award-winning programs to meet needs of the institutions and the communities she served. Dana’s volunteer work includes City Club of Boise as Secretary on the Board of Directors. She has volunteered for the American Red Cross and has donated blood, plasma and platelets for 45 years. Dana takes pride in her civic commitments and has served as a Chief Election Supervisor in every state of residency. Her passion includes support of rural education in Alaska, providing materials and resources to elementary schools particularly in the rural communities where she attended school. Dana is an advocate for women’s health and reproductive rights and of fair treatment and equal pay for women in the workplace.